A study published in Psychological Bulletin warns that excessive consumption of short videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram impacts users' attention, mental health, and cognitive capacity, particularly among young people and adults. The research highlights how this format promotes superficial information processing, leading to mental fatigue and potential addictions. While the analysis has limitations, it calls for greater oversight in digital consumption.
In an era dominated by immediacy, the human brain adapts to accelerated rhythms that do not always benefit its functioning. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis in Psychological Bulletin, titled “Feeds, Feelings, and Focus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Examining the Cognitive and Mental Health Correlates of Short-Form Video Use”, examines the effects of short-form video use on social media.
The findings indicate that prolonged exposure to content like reels or clips on TikTok deteriorates cognitive skills. Processing this information requires superficial effort, unlike activities demanding greater concentration, such as reading. This results in attention alterations with observable neurobiological impacts among regular consumers, mainly young people and adults.
Furthermore, the study links this consumption to increased stress, anxiety, and cognitive fatigue. Rapidly switching from one video to another without pauses for assimilation prevents deep concentration, causing mental exhaustion. There is also a risk of addiction to highly stimulating content, potentially leading to severe behavioral changes.
Although the report does not cover aspects like memory or language, it emphasizes the need to question unrestricted access to these formats without verification. Digital consumption is ubiquitous, but it should not become uncontrolled entertainment, especially among more vulnerable generations.
